by Sara Tipton | May 31, 2022
One of the main reasons people avoid hiking and camping is the fear of coming in contact with a bear. But there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you don’t attract a bear to your campsite. There are several reasons why bears are attracted to...
by Tess Pennington | Apr 28, 2018
Hi Tess, I’m looking to take my food storage to the next level. I am looking at a six-inch hot jaw sealer for 5mm Mylar bags. Can I over lap the sealer joints to get a seal on bigger bags or do I need to go with a sealer that seals in one step? Thanks, A Reader...
by Tess Pennington | Apr 15, 2018
Tess, So if I’m all protected with gas masks etc. how do I protect my animals? A Reader Answer: Reader, Thank you for sending your question in. One of our Ready Nutrition writers, Jeremiah Johnson wrote about the very subject you are asking about. In the...
by Tess Pennington | Oct 17, 2017
Hi Tess, For those of us who served in the military & received vaccinations for plague I & II, are we covered for this??? A Reader Answer: Hello, What a relevant question you asked. I realize with the current state of the airborne transmission of the plague,...
by Tess Pennington | Sep 11, 2017
Hi Tess, We are in the hurricane (Irma) right now and I ran out of cat crunchies and wanted to know if I could give my cats some pedigree small dog crunchies until I can get to a store in a few days? A Reader ...
by Tess Pennington | Jan 11, 2017
Hi Tess, I am a first timer and I am wondering if I need to freeze my peas, beans and lentils before I vacuum pack them in the jars and vacuum bags? Also do I need to put oxygen absorbers in the bags and jars? Thanks. A Reader Answer: Hello, Vacuum sealing is a great...
by Tess Pennington | Jul 23, 2015
Tess, Can I remove mold from beef jerky by dipping it in vinegar and then reheating it to evaporate the water? A Reader Answer: Hello, It may not necessarily be mold. If it is a white powder, it could be fat bloom, or salt surfacing. This is caused from oils inside...
by Tess Pennington | Jul 14, 2015
Tess, Why will all-purpose flour only keep a few months? Mine is in food grade buckets with oxygen absorbers, no light, low humidity and 68 degrees. Same question about bleach. Why does it go bad? A Reader Answer: Hello, I am so glad that you asked this question, as...
by Tess Pennington | Jun 15, 2015
Tess, I have stored vegetable oil that now smells bad. Don’t want to make oil & vinegar dressing from it. Can oil go bad? Never saw any info on that. A Reader Answer: Hello, Yes, oil can go bad. Because this is a fat-based product, over time the fats will...
by Tess Pennington | Mar 16, 2015
Morning Tess, My friend was telling me the other day that a store can sell products past their expiration date. Is this true? A Reader Answer: Hello, Unfortunately, your friend is correct. According to the FDA, adding expiration dates is discretionary and up to the...
by Tess Pennington | Feb 26, 2015
Hello Tess! I discovered your site from a Channel 26 broadcast video. I have read and watched Youtube vids TIRELESSLY and cannot come up with a concrete answer regarding FREEZING RICE-or other grains for that matter. The issue is killing the bugs without...
by Tess Pennington | Feb 6, 2015
Tess, I read your article on making your own dried potato flakes and wonder how long these would last? Thanks, A Reader Answer: The powdered potato flakes last anywhere between 6 months to a year in a regular container. If you add oxygen absorbers and ensure it stays...